Cognism Review 2025: Pricing, Features, and Data Quality
Cognism serves 1,800 customers worldwide but does not disclose their pricing upfront. You have to book a demo and sit through a sales pitch to get numbers.
Here's what we found:
Platinum tier: $1,500 - $10,000 per year Diamond tier: $2,550 - $25,000 per year
These are premium prices. Most alternatives cost less for similar features. The question is: why would you choose Cognism instead of more cost-effective alternatives? Is Cognism worth the extra budget?
Cognism offers phone-verified mobile numbers, EMEA/US/DACH regional data, and a large contact database. The platform works. The question is whether it's worth the cost.
This review breaks down what you get, compares it to other options, and helps you decide if Cognism fits your budget and needs in 2025.
Cognism at a Glance: What It Offers in 2025
Editor’s NoteThis article is based on my own testing of Cognism, combined with an in-depth analysis of verified user reviews from platforms like G2, Capterra, and Reddit. Although I work at Skrapp.io, this review reflects my genuine and unbiased opinion.
Cognism is a sales intelligence platform Cognism is a sales intelligence platform that gives you verified business contact information. The main selling point? Phone-verified mobile numbers and strong European market coverage.
The platform has 400 million business profiles and 200 million verified business emails. Their Diamond Data® feature provides phone-verified mobile numbers that supposedly help you connect with decision-makers three times better than regular databases.
Different teams use it differently:
- Sales teams get contact data and account intelligence for prospecting
- Marketing teams run targeted campaigns and generate leads
- Revenue leaders coordinate teams and personalize targeting
- Recruitment teams search for candidates
Cognism partners with Bombora for intent data. This helps you spot companies researching products like yours. Sales trigger alerts about funding rounds or hiring sprees give you timing advantages.
Who Should Think About Cognism?
We targeted businesses with 50 to over 5,000 employees in industries of all types including software, finance, marketing, healthcare, and recruitment. Companies looking for high-quality, compliant B2B data to prospect and enrich their database will benefit the most.
The platform works great for organizations that need to find Marketing Operations, Sales Operations, and Revenue Operations professionals. Companies dealing with data accuracy problems or working in compliance-heavy environments will value Cognism's focus on data quality and following regulations.
Cognism fits best with companies that:
- Want verified contact information for decision-makers
- Work in regulated markets that need GDPR compliance
- Plan to grow their outbound prospecting efforts
- Need better connect rates and conversation quality
Key Markets: EMEA, US, and APAC
Cognism covers the globe but really shines in European markets. The UK-founded platform was built to meet the EU's toughest data protection laws from the start. This Europe-first strategy has created a European business database that's not just compliant but also enriched and phone-verified.
The platform offers twice as many European contacts as other providers. It has deep coverage in the UK, Germany, France, Benelux, and Nordic regions. Their database contains over 200 million European contacts, making it the perfect choice to target these markets.
Notwithstanding that, Cognism reaches beyond Europe. The platform serves North America and Asia-Pacific regions too, though users often praise its European data quality the most. Companies targeting multiple regions can get adaptable solutions without paying extra to access global and regional data across NAM, EMEA, and APAC.
Cognism Pricing Breakdown: What You’re Really Paying For
| Feature | Platinum Tier | Diamond Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Access Fee | $15,000 annual access fee | $25,000 annual access fee |
| User Fee | $1,500 per user/year | $2,500 per user/year |
| Contact Access | Up to 25 million contacts | Up to 50 million contacts |
| AI Segmentation | No | Yes |
| Phone Verification Accuracy | Standard mobile numbers | Phone-verified mobiles (~98% accuracy) |
| Intent Data Access | No | Yes (via Bombora) |
| Diamonds‑on‑Demand Service | No | Yes |
| Customer Success Manager | No | Yes (dedicated manager) |
Let's look at Cognism's costs in 2025. You need to understand their nuanced pricing structure to determine if this premium sales intelligence tool fits your budget. Unlike their competitors who display transparent pricing pages, you'll need to contact Cognism's sales team directly to get a customized quote.
Platinum vs Diamond Plans Explained
Cognism offers two main tiers: Platinum and Diamond. These plans differ mainly in their data quality and verification levels.
The Platinum plan is their entry-level option that includes:
- Access to Cognism's core B2B database
- Simple contact and company information
- Standard CRM integration capabilities
- Limited access to intent data
The Diamond plan is Cognism's premium offering with major improvements:
- Access to Diamond Data® with phone-verified mobile numbers
- Higher accuracy rates for direct dials (reportedly 95%+ accuracy)
- Expanded intent data through the Bombora partnership
- Priority support and additional training resources
Diamond tier costs more than Platinum because of its phone-verified mobile numbers. This is a big deal as it means that sales teams focused on outbound prospecting get better connection rates.
Platform Access Fees and Seat Licensing
Cognism uses a multi-layered pricing structure:
- Base platform fee – You get access to the core technology and database. This is the foundation of any Cognism contract.
- Seat licenses – Each user needs a license to access the platform. These cost between $49 to $99 monthly per user based on your plan level and contract terms.
- Data volume tiers – Your price increases based on how many contacts you need access to or plan to export. Each tier comes with a notable price jump.
- Implementation fees – New customers pay one-time onboarding costs between $500 to $1,500 depending on how complex the integration is.
Most contracts need annual commitment with prepayment. Enterprise clients might get quarterly payment options at a higher cost.
Estimated Annual Costs: $1,500 to $25,000+
Current market information shows Cognism's pricing typically falls in these ranges:
- Small team implementation (1-3 users): $1,500 to $10,000 annually for Platinum tier
- Mid-sized team (4-10 users): $10,000 to $18,000 annually for Platinum tier
- Enterprise implementation (10+ users): $18,000 to $25,000+ annually for Platinum tier
- Diamond tier upgrade: Adds 30-70% more cost over similar Platinum package
It's worth mentioning that special data needs, custom integrations, or high contact volume requirements can drive prices higher than these ranges. On top of that, renewal prices usually go up by 10-15% each year unless you lock in multi-year agreements.
Why Pricing Isn't Publicly Listed
Cognism keeps their pricing private for several strategic reasons.
Their contracts vary too much for standard pricing. Each setup changes based on user count, data volume needs, and specific regional focus (EMEA vs. global).
Their enterprise sales model helps them adjust pricing based on customer's budget and needs. This approach is common among premium B2B data providers. Sales teams can maximize deal value based on company size and urgency.
The sales process usually involves customizing packages. Sales representatives have room to adjust final pricing, which makes published rates potentially harmful to their sales process.
Budget-conscious buyers might find this lack of transparency challenging during initial vendor evaluation. But getting competitive bids from multiple providers is a great way to get better terms in final negotiations with Cognism's sales team.
Feature Deep Dive: What Do You Get for the Price?
The real value of Cognism goes beyond simple pricing tiers with its specialized features built for serious B2B prospectors. Let's get into what premium capabilities make this platform worth the investment.
Diamond Data® and Mobile Dial Accuracy
Cognism's main feature is Diamond Data®: phone-verified mobile numbers. The company claims these help sales teams connect with decision-makers three times more effectively than industry standards. An independent study showed that Diamond Data® achieves an 87% connection rate with prospects, compared to industry averages around 30%.
The verification process involves calling numbers directly to confirm that the right person answers. This results in 98% accuracy rates for these premium contacts. Users report:
- 30% lift in conversion rates
- 10% increase in business meetings booked
- Up to 80% reduction in calls needed to reach prospects
The database has over 10 million phone-verified contacts worldwide. It also screens Do Not Call (DNC) compliance in 13 countries.
Intent Data via Bombora Partnership
Teams can spot in-market buyers through Cognism's integration with Bombora's Company Surge® intent data. This partnership is nowhere near basic intent solutions. It gives access to data from Bombora's cooperative network of 4,000+ websites (70% exclusive to Bombora).
The system spots organizations that actively research topics related to your solution and adds key decision-maker contact details to these accounts. Sales teams can focus on prospects who show real buying interest instead of cold-calling unqualified leads.
Diamond plan users get unlimited access to view and export intent data. This helps them prioritize their pipeline and boost conversion rates.
Cognism Chrome Extension and Real-Time Enrichment
The Cognism Chrome Extension turns browsers into prospecting powerhouses by adding immediate data on LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and company websites. Users can:
- Get contact details instantly while browsing prospect profiles
- Add and export data directly to CRM systems in two clicks
- Run ICP fit checks through Cortex AI-powered insights
Yes, it is a productivity booster that eliminates platform-switching. Users say it cuts lead list generation time by 90%.
CRM Integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach
Cognism connects smoothly with major CRM and sales engagement platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, Pipedrive, Outreach, and Zapier. Each integration works with specific objects:
- Salesforce: Accounts, Contacts, Leads, and Campaigns
- HubSpot: Contacts and Companies
- Outreach: Prospects, Accounts, and Sequences
Teams can create new records, update existing data, and map advanced data points like technographics. This creates a smooth flow between prospecting and outreach activities.
User Experience and Support: Is It Built for Scale?
Sales teams that think over Cognism should know the platform's usability and support structure are vital factors in determining overall ROI. The system works well with teams of different sizes. Cognism built its interface and support model specifically for growing organizations.
Interface and Onboarding Experience
Cognism balances functionality and simplicity. Review platforms give it high marks (4.7-4.8) for ease of use. The dashboard offers a clean, user-friendly layout that helps teams access prospecting tools efficiently. A user mentioned that "the interface is intuitive and well-structured, which makes navigating the platform and accessing key features incredibly efficient".
The original setup process has improved substantially. One customer shared: "Onboarding was seamless; in fact, Cognism has been the easiest part of our tech stack to integrate. It's given us zero problems". Teams can get started quickly - another user reported they were "up and running within a day". This sets Cognism apart from other enterprise tools.
Learning Curve for New Users
The platform offers a user-friendly interface, yet new users need time to become skilled at advanced features. This shows up most clearly in the extensive filtering options and database segmentation tools. A G2 review points out there's a "learning curve for beginners". Users need to understand how to optimize search parameters and utilize all available data points.
Most users take 1-2 weeks to master the platform. Simple prospecting functions take less time to learn. One company had a different experience: their "SDR team found there was practically no learning curve to using Cognism. They were able to decline the last few training sessions because they already felt they could use it exactly as they wanted to".
Customer Support and Enablement Sessions
Customer support stands out as Cognism's strongest service offering. Review platforms consistently praise this aspect. Support comes through email, phone, chat, FAQ forums, knowledge base, tickets, and 24/7 live support. Users describe the support team as "fantastic," "friendly," and "quick to help"[173].
Cognism goes beyond basic troubleshooting. The platform provides detailed enablement sessions to help users get the most value. Training resources include documentation, in-person sessions, live online workshops, videos, and webinars. Customers find these sessions valuable: "We've had some great enablement sessions which have allowed us to make the best use of the platform".
What Users Are Saying: Real Feedback from G2, Reddit, and More
Customer opinions tell you more about Cognism’s real-world value than its marketing copy. A look into dozens of verified reviews from G2, Reddit, and community discussions reveals consistent wins and drawbacks.
What People Like: Accuracy and Compliance
Users genuinely like Cognism's contact accuracy, especially if they're working in Europe. The GDPR compliance concern comes up a lot; teams dealing with strict regulations feel safer using it. People say the data enrichment keeps their contact lists up to date without much manual work.
Sales reps and BDRs find it pretty useful day-to-day. The CRM integrations actually work (Salesforce, HubSpot), so you're not copying and pasting everything. The Chrome extension and filtering save time when you're trying to figure out who's worth reaching out to.
What Drives People Crazy: Money, Exports, and Contract Surprises
The pricing complaints are everywhere. And it makes sense: there are, indeed, several quality alternatives with a much smaller price tag. People feel like the base price is just to get in the door, then you hit export limits and need to buy more credits. Teams get blindsided by renewal terms or random charges they didn't see coming during the initial sales process.
Smaller teams especially feel the sting. They're paying enterprise prices but not getting enterprise usage. Plus, some features are locked behind extra payments, and that's after you've already paid thousands.
Where It Falls Short: Asia-Pacific Data and Niche Industries
Cognism works great in the UK and Europe, but if you need realiable data in Asia or even parts of the Americas, you'll hit dead ends. People mention that LinkedIn prospecting and local database coverage just isn't there for those regions.
Industry-specific searches can be hit or miss, too. Users in specialized sectors say they get irrelevant matches that waste time during list building. You end up doing more filtering than you'd expect from a "premium" tool.
Final Verdict: Is Cognism Worth It?
Cognism works for specific situations, but the math needs to make sense. The Diamond Data® delivers 87% connection rates versus 30% industry average: that's a real plus. If you're targeting European markets where compliance matters, this accuracy rate can justify the cost.
Choose Cognism if you:
- Have $10,000+ annual prospecting budget
- Target primarily European markets (UK, Germany, France, Benelux)
- Need GDPR-compliant data for regulated industries
- Make 500+ prospecting calls monthly where connection rates matter
- Have established sales teams, not solo founders
Skip Cognism if you:
- Budget under $5,000 annually for sales intelligence
- Focus on Asian markets (weak coverage)
- Work in niche industries (data gaps)
- Need transparent pricing without hidden export costs
- Prefer pay-as-you-go versus annual contracts
The numbers breakdown: At $15,000 annually, you need Cognism to generate 3-5 extra deals to break even versus cheaper alternatives. Their 87% connection rate means 87 conversations per 100 calls versus 30 with standard tools. If those 57 extra conversations convert at 2%, that's one additional deal per 100 calls.
For European-focused teams closing $10,000+ deals, the ROI works. For everyone else, cheaper alternatives deliver better value per dollar spent.
FAQs: Cognism
What is Cognism?
Cognism is a B2B sales intelligence platform that provides verified business contact information and compliance-focused data solutions. It offers access to over 400 million business profiles and 200 million verified business emails, with a focus on phone-verified mobile numbers and European market coverage.
What is the meaning of Cognism?
The name "Cognism" combines "cognition" (knowledge/awareness) with the suffix "-ism" (practice/system). It reflects the platform's focus on providing knowledge and intelligence about business contacts and prospects to help sales teams make informed decisions.
How much does Cognism cost?
Cognism doesn’t publish public pricing, but reports suggest plans start around $15,000/year, with added costs for features like export credits. For smaller teams or early-stage sales ops, tools like Skrapp.io offer simpler pay-as-you-go pricing and transparent credit usage—no sales call required.
Is Cognism worth it?
For enterprise teams needing GDPR-compliant enrichment at scale, Cognism delivers. That said, upsells, long contracts, and limited trial access make it harder to test before buying. If you're exploring data tools with fewer barriers to entry, Skrapp.io provides free monthly usage and flexible plans ideal for testing GTM campaigns.
Is ZoomInfo better than Cognism?
According to G2, ZoomInfo leads in North American coverage, while Cognism is stronger in Europe. Both lean enterprise. Cognism offers higher data accuracy rates (98% vs ZoomInfo's ~85%), but accuracy rates are never fully transparent. If you’re looking for lead data without the high commitment or multi-seat pricing, lightweight options like Skrapp.io often make more sense for lean teams.
Is Cognism better than Lusha?
Lusha and Cognism often get compared for EU compliance and contact depth. Cognism wins on enrichment quality, while Lusha is more agile for basic prospecting. That said, many B2B teams looking to avoid data caps or forced platform lock-in end up preferring Skrapp.io for its balance of accuracy, affordability, and freedom to export or integrate anywhere.
Is Cognism any good?
Cognism performs well for specific use cases. Its phone-verified mobile numbers achieve 87% connection rates compared to industry averages around 30%. Users report 30% higher conversion rates and 80% fewer calls needed to reach prospects. However, it's expensive ($1,500-$25,000 annually) and works best for companies targeting European markets or needing high data accuracy for compliance reasons.
Is Cognism worth the investment for sales teams?
Cognism can be a valuable investment for established sales organizations with substantial budgets, especially those targeting European markets. Its Diamond Data® offering provides highly accurate, phone-verified mobile numbers that can significantly improve outbound prospecting efficiency. However, the platform's high cost and lack of pricing transparency may not suit all businesses, particularly startups or those on tighter budgets.
How does Cognism's data accuracy compare to other platforms?
Cognism claims to achieve a 98% accuracy rate for its phone-verified contact data, which is particularly strong for European markets. Users consistently like the platform for its accurate and GDPR-compliant B2B contact information, making it a reliable choice for teams operating in regulated environments.
What are the key features that set Cognism apart?
Cognism's standout features include its Diamond Data® with phone-verified mobile numbers, extensive European market coverage, intent data through Bombora partnership, and a user-friendly Chrome extension for real-time data enrichment. The platform also offers seamless CRM integrations and prioritizes compliance with data protection regulations.
Are there any limitations to Cognism's coverage?
While Cognism excels in European and North American markets, users report limitations in coverage for Asian-Pacific regions. Additionally, some industries may have gaps in data coverage. Organizations targeting niche markets or specific regions outside of Europe and North America should carefully evaluate the platform's coverage for their needs.
How user-friendly is Cognism for new users?
Cognism's interface is generally praised for its intuitiveness, with users reporting quick onboarding times. However, there is a moderate learning curve for mastering advanced features like extensive filtering options. The platform offers comprehensive support and enablement sessions to help users maximize its potential, which many customers find valuable for getting up to speed quickly.